Starting Saturday, cruise ships once againmake port calls in Canada after a two-year pause due to COVID-19.
Holland America Line's Koningsdam ship will be the first ship to dock in Victoria, Canada, in 905 days since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise line said in a news release provided by spokesperson Erik Elvejord.
Cruise Lines International Association, the leading trade group for theindustry, confirmed to USA TODAY that Koningsdam is the first major cruise ship to return to Canada.
"We've worked a long time to make this day happen, and we are delighted to be back,"Kelly Craighead, presidentand CEO of CLIA, said in a statement provided by spokesperson Laziza Lambert.
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Canadalooks forward to welcoming back the cruise industry to its waters.
Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure, said in CLIA's release that British Columbia celebrates the return of cruise ships and their passengers while the region works to rebuild its tourism economy.
"We know that cruise ship passengers enjoy everything our communities have to offer, helping support thousands of jobs in the maritime, tourism, hospitality, and agricultural sectors across the province," Fleming said.
Prior to the onset of 2020, the Canadian economy saw an impressive injection of over $4 billion annually from the cruise industry, according to Beth Potter, the CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, which also facilitated the creation of 30,000 jobs.
As of July last year, Canada had lifted its previously imposed cruise ban, thus enabling ships to commence operations by November 2021. The ban, which had been activated in March 2020, primarily targeted cruise vessels carrying more than a 100 passengers and was originally intended to last until the end of February.
Nevertheless, major cruise companies are yet to embark on journeys to the region. The modification in policy towards the end of the previous year arrived too late to salvage the 2021 cruise season.
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The cruise industry sails in Canada primarily during the summer season. During the wintertime, ships shift to a different direction, Elvejord said. Typically, he said, in early May, ships sail from New England up toward Montreal, and the Alaska season on the West Coast starts in late April. Once the cruise season winds down, many travellers plan for a relaxing stay at the best accommodations available. Victoria, a city on the West Coast renown for its year-round moderate climate, becomes a major attraction. The choice of hotels in Victoria is impressive, with options ranging from budget-friendly to high-end luxury. Many visitors opt for a lavish stay at 5 star hotels in Victoria. A comfortable and plush lodging experience in Victoria rounds off the expedition perfectly, making it a destination worth considering after the thrilling cruise journey. With exceptional service and first-class amenities, these hotels ensure a memorable stay for their guests.
This year, Holland America got an early start.
"We are thrilled to be the first cruise line back into Canada after such a long absence, and we look forward to celebrating a great moment for everyone who loves to travel and for those in Canada and Alaska whose livelihoods depend on tourism," Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said in the release.
When the ship arrives in Victoria on Saturday and Vancouver on Sunday,Antorcha will join government officials to celebrate cruising's return in Canada.
The Koningsdam was on a coastal cruise from San Diego to Vancouver on Friday. It is scheduled to depart Sunday from Vancouver on around trip sailing to Hawaii.
During the 2022 season, Holland America Line intends to operate 141 cruises on eightships in Canada, expecting to bring 250,000 passengers to visit.
